Russian President Vladimir Putin called for recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics (LPR and DPR).
“I consider it necessary to make a long overdue decision to recognize the DPR and LPR,” the head of state said during an address to the Russians on February 21.
The President also noted that the situation in Donbass has become critical. He stressed that Ukraine is not just a neighbor of Russia, but an integral part of its own history, culture and spiritual space. The President noted that for many Russians, Ukraine is also their colleagues, friends, and relatives.
He stressed that Ukraine in its modern form was created by Russia by tearing away part of its historical territories, no one asked the inhabitants anything. According to him, the events of the Soviet past cannot be changed, but one must speak about them directly.
Earlier that day, Putin held an extraordinary meeting of the Russian Security Council, during which its members unanimously called for recognition of the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DNR and LNR).
With a corresponding request, the heads of the DPR and LPR, Denis Pushilin and Leonid Pasechnik, turned to the Russian leader on February 21. They also urged to consider the possibility of concluding an agreement on friendship and cooperation between the parties.
The situation on the line of contact in Donbass escalated on February 17. The DPR and LPR reported heavy shelling by Ukrainian security forces, including with heavy weapons. At the same time, Kiev announced the shelling of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On February 21, the representative office of the LPR at the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Ceasefire (JCCC) reported 16 violations of the ceasefire in the republic by Ukrainian security forces. On the same day, it became known that the armed forces of Ukraine fired at the village of Staromikhaylovka with shells prohibited under the Minsk agreements.
Since 2014, the Ukrainian authorities have been conducting a military operation against the inhabitants of Donbass, who refused to recognize the results of the coup d’état and the new government in Ukraine. At the same time, Kiev blames Moscow for the current situation. Russia has repeatedly stated that it is not a party to the intra-Ukrainian conflict. The issues of its settlement are being discussed in the Minsk and Normandy formats.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
